Department of Public Safety Recognizes April as Sexual Violence Awareness Month
JEFFERSON CITY, April 17, 2008—Director of Public Safety Mark James encourages state agencies to get involved in sexual violence awareness month to help make a difference.
“April is a time for public safety officials to raise awareness about the devastating impact that sexual violence has on our communities,” James said. “It gives us an opportunity to take positive action to combat sexual violence.”
The Department of Public Safety invites all state agencies to join in Denim Day, April 23, 2008 to bring sexual violence awareness out of the closet by wearing jeans or other denim garments.
The Missouri Crime Victims’ Compensation (CVC) Program within in the Department of Public Safety is sponsoring its 2nd annual denim day event and asks participants to pay two dollars to receive a lapel pin and wear jeans to work to signify individual donations for “Denim Day, Step Forward.” Aimed at raising awareness about the issue of rape, proceeds from this one-day event will benefit the Jefferson City Rape and Abuse Crisis Service (RACS).
Please have your agency contact Susan Sudduth at 573-526-6006 by April 21 with the number of participants your agency will have so lapel pins can be distributed accordingly prior to the event.
Internationally celebrated since 1999, Denim Day started as a protest of an Italian Supreme Court decision to overturn a rape conviction because the victim was wearing jeans. The Italian Supreme Court dismissed charges against a 45-year-old rape suspect because the 18-year-old victim was wearing jeans at the time of the assault.